Why Signing Cody Ross Was a Smart Move for the Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane spent the offseason tinkering with his roster, and didn't stop once Opening Day rolled around. Four days after outfielder Cody Ross was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Beane picked him up off the scrap heap for the major league minimum.

Arizona had signed Ross to a three-year, $25 million contract after the 2012 season, but ate nearly $8.5 million of his contract to free up space on a rebuilding team for young outfielders David Peralta and Ender Inciarte.

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Bay Area fans know Ross for his heroics during the San Francisco Giants' 2010 World Series run. He won the National League Championship Series MVP by hitting .350/.435/.950 with an absurd 1.385 OPS, delivering numerous clutch hits to propel the Giants past the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ross' best year came in 2009 as a member of the Florida Marlins, when he hit 24 home runs, knocked in 90 RBI and finished 26th in the NL in total bases. He also hit 22 home runs and drove home 83 in 2012 with the Boston Red Sox, which earned him the big deal with the D-Backs. 

The only thing not to like about Ross is his free-swinging habits, which prevent him from drawing walks at the same rate as more selective Athletics hitters. Ross has never reached 50 walks in a season, and has not finished with an OBP above .331 in a complete season. 

He has been a decent hitter in every year since 2007, but struggled after returning too early from hip surgery in 2014. Having a decent right-handed bat who can play either corner outfield position will be key for the A's, as Ross can platoon with Sam Fuld and substitute for Josh Reddick on occasion.

Craig Gentry was set to split time with Fuld in left until Coco Crisp underwent elbow surgery just before the season began. Gentry then moved into a full-time role in center field, leaving Beane scrambling to find a platoon mate for Fuld.

Ross provides outfield depth the A's sorely needed, even after Reddick's return from the disabled list. Recently waived journeyman Alex Hassan wasn't going to cut it, while Billy Burns has great wheels but still needs to improve at the plate.

The A's have also used rookie Mark Canha in left, and while Canha's bat has been on fire so far this season, he's a more natural fit at first base. His hitting will keep him in the lineup, but Ross is superior defensively.

Ross has made just four errors since the start of the 2011 season, can move pretty well in the outfield and makes highlight plays from time to time.

He had a 12.6 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) in 94 games in 2013, according to FanGraphs. That mark would have been ninth among major league outfielders if he had met the innings minimum to qualify.

Having a capable, right-handed hitter who can play right field means utility man Ben Zobrist can stay at second base, where he is arguably most valuable. Putting Zobrist at second keeps the banjo-hitting Eric Sogard from cracking the starting lineup, improving the A's offense without sacrificing much, if anything, on defense.

Barring a hot streak that mirrors the one he had at the end of 2010, Ross won't be an everyday player for the A's. He provides valuable depth, solid offense and defense at the team's weakest position and should give the A's more than expected for the major league minimum.